STUDY AND STUDIO.
Clem.—We have just received from Miss Porter (author of an article, “How to Help the Deaf,” in the February Part of The Girl’s Own Paper, 1898,) details of an interesting scheme. She has compiled a system of classes, which teach the art of lip-reading by correspondence; a new and, she ventures to think, an original idea, which has obtained the approval of distinguished medical men. As you wish to learn the art, we should advise you to write for full particulars, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope, to Miss Porter, Normandy Villa, Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
Miss Porter.—We regret that we cannot print your article in full; but as you will observe in the preceding answer, we advise our readers to send to you direct if they are interested in obtaining particulars of your scheme.
Nemo.—The tune you enclose is very sweet and pleasing. It contains a few technical errors, e.g., the consecutive bass octaves in the first line, and the omission of the third in the chord (last bar but two) which gives a thin sound. You ought certainly to cultivate your talent by taking lessons in harmony.
Geisha.—We have read the first chapter of your story. It is graphic, but you need to study the art of composition. Take this sentence—“The gentle breeze fluttering the ribbons of her pretty morning dress; the raven black hair, loosely coiled at the back of the well shaped head: her features were regular and delicately chiselled, and her eyes, which of deepest blue, were shaded by long black lashes.” The first two clauses of the sentence need a verb, though your third omission may be an oversight. The art of writing for the press needs study and practice, without which no one can hope to succeed.
Lover of Literature.—Your letter is written in rather a stiff and childish hand, and you use bad ink. You will improve if you take pains.
Anxious.—1. Your letter is a type of many that we are constantly receiving, and we refer you to a series of articles on “Self-Culture for Girls,” by Lily Watson, which will give some help. In a case such as yours, we should think it would be very desirable to join the National Home Reading Union (address, The Secretary, Surrey House, Victoria Embankment). And why should you not, as you suggest, study for some examination? Write for particulars to Dr. Keynes, Syndicate Buildings, Cambridge, or H. I. Gerrans, Esq., Clarendon Buildings, Oxford. We find it difficult to recommend you special books, as we know nothing of your age or attainments. Have you read Ruskin’s “Sesame and Lilies”; Tennyson’s “Idylls of the King”; Scott’s novels; histories of your own country and of English literature? This suggestion may do to begin with.—2. We think powders for the skin are best left alone. Prepared oatmeal is the least objectionable, and can be dusted off after use.
Laura.—We should not consider the guitar too difficult an instrument for one with a fair knowledge of music to learn alone.
Onyx.—There is a Greek Correspondence Class which we have occasionally mentioned in this column. Address Miss Lilian Masters, Mount Avenue, Ealing. As for studying the language unaided, it is certainly a difficult task, yet it has been accomplished by others, and is worth attempting. Dr. W. Smith’s Initia Græca, Part I., is a good grammar; but if cheapness is an object, you will probably find a selection of Greek grammars for sale at a mere trifle in any second-hand book shop. A knowledge of Latin is not essential. Many thanks for your kind letter.